Cameron McJannet says Grimsby Town must match Stafford Rangers’ intensity and embrace the occasion as the Mariners prepare to begin their Emirates FA Cup campaign on Sunday.
Town travel to the Stan Robinson Stadium for their first-round tie against the Northern Premier League Division One West side, who will be competing in the first round proper for the first time in more than 20 years.
McJannet returned from a short spell on the sidelines in impressive fashion against York City last weekend, contributing a goal and an assist as the Mariners recorded a 5-2 victory at Blundell Park. The defender reflected on his return to action, the connection between the players and supporters, and the impact the atmosphere at Blundell Park has had on the team.
The 28-year-old also discussed Sunday’s opponents, the importance of not underestimating Non-League sides in the FA Cup, and his own experience of playing at that level during a loan spell with Curzon Ashton. He also recalled a special FA Cup memory from his childhood, when he watched Luton Town claim a famous victory at Norwich City.
Here’s everything Cameron had to say ahead of Sunday’s fixture…
On the 5-2 victory over York City
McJannet was delighted with the Mariners’ performance against York City, particularly the five goals scored in front of the home supporters. The defender made an immediate impact on his return to the starting line-up, providing the assist for Andy Cook’s opener before getting himself on the scoresheet.
Despite joking that his goal may have been Iwan’s cross going in anyway, McJannet was pleased to contribute at the attacking end of the pitch and help Town secure another important victory.
“Good is the most obvious word I’d say. It was just pleasing to win with the scoreline like it was in the end.
“I know it’s been tight for a while, but it was very satisfying to finish with the five goals and 5-2 in the end.
“It was nice to be involved with the goals at the right end. When I looked up and saw the ball going towards Cooky’s head, I was happy with that. I think I was happier with that than the goal because, I never said this, but Iwan’s cross was probably going in either way!
“It’s still my goal, isn’t it?”
On his return from injury
McJannet returned to action against York after spending a couple of weeks on the sidelines with a minor calf injury.
The defender explained that his recovery involved a period of rest followed by strengthening work, and was pleased to be back available so quickly.
“Just tweaked my calf a little bit and had to sit on the sidelines for a couple of weeks.
“It was just rest, strengthen it back up and I was ready within a couple of weeks, thankfully.”
On the connection with the supporters
The defender also praised the backing Town have received both home and away during recent weeks, highlighting the impact it had on the players during difficult moments in the team’s away fixtures.
Having joined supporters in the away end at Rochdale, McJannet was particularly impressed by the atmosphere created despite Town going into the game on the back of four consecutive defeats.
He believes that connection between the stands and the pitch gives the players an additional lift and makes Blundell Park a difficult place for visiting teams.
“To have the run of form we had, with four defeats in a row at the time, in the away end and to see how they were was amazing. I think that spurred the lads on, and I think everyone saw at Rochdale how well the lads played.
“Then, to have a good few hundred Grimsby fans all the way down in Gillingham, I think it definitely spurs the lads on. The atmosphere was great last Saturday as well.
“It just gives you that extra edge, that extra gear. It’s amazing.
“It builds that real chemistry between the pitch and the stands. I don’t think anyone likes coming to Blundell Park, and that’s because of the fans. Maybe a touch of wind and rain half the time as well!
“It builds that atmosphere of teams looking forward to coming to Blundell Park, and that gives us an extra edge and helps us.”
On Sunday’s Emirates FA Cup tie
McJannet is expecting a demanding afternoon against Stafford Rangers and insists Town cannot afford to underestimate their opponents because of the five-division gap between the two clubs.
The defender believes the FA Cup provides opportunities for teams at every level of the football pyramid to cause an upset, and says the Mariners must approach the tie with the same preparation and mentality they would show against any opponent.
“We can never underestimate anyone. That’s the thing with the English football league system: anyone can beat anyone.
“It’s the FA Cup, the biggest cup in the country, in the world really, and you see every single year how anyone can beat anyone. That’s never a reason to underestimate Stafford.
“It’s exactly that, the magic of the FA Cup. We know Stafford will be all guns blazing, right at it, and we have to match it and better it.
“Just take it as we’re playing the best team in the world.”
On the atmosphere and occasion at Stafford
Stafford will be playing in the first round proper for the first time in more than 20 years, with a sell-out crowd expected for Sunday’s lunchtime kick-off.
McJannet is looking forward to the occasion and expects the hosts to be fully motivated, but stressed that Town must remain focused on their responsibilities and not allow the atmosphere to distract them from their task.
“I’m sure the atmosphere will be absolutely rocking. But that’s football, and that’s what you sign up for.
“We’re all looking forward to it because we know it’s a special tie. We’ve got to relish it and make sure we do our jobs, even with the atmosphere and how amped up everything will be.
“Stafford are going to be right at it. They’re going to be 100, 110, 120%, but we’re going to match them and make sure we match every bit of energy that they bring.”
On his experience of Non-League football
The defender spent time on loan at Curzon Ashton during the 2018/19 season and believes the experience of playing senior football at a young age was hugely beneficial to his development.
McJannet recalled playing in front of sizeable crowds against established Non-League clubs and highlighted the different perspectives players can have when balancing football with other work and commitments.
“It’s great. At such a young age, you end up playing in front of a couple of thousand every week.
“At the time there were clubs like Stockport, Kidderminster and Chester. You played in front of a few thousand at such a young age, so it was great experience.
“At that level, the lads have a different outlook on football because they’ve got other work and other things going on. It made it very enjoyable.”
On the importance of the FA Cup to Non-League clubs
Having experienced Non-League football himself, McJannet understands how significant Sunday’s occasion will be for Stafford and the wider local community.
The defender also reflected on his hometown club, Leyton Town, who currently compete in Step Three, and how following their results has given him an appreciation of the pride and excitement that football clubs can generate within their communities.
“It’s massive for everyone in the town. In this occasion, Stafford, for example, it’s massive for everyone and the whole town gets behind them.
“Where I’m from, Leyton Town are in Step Three at the minute, which is the highest they’ve ever been. You’re suddenly keeping an eye on Leyton Town results, and everyone from home is saying, ‘Leyton Town have got a big game today against the bigger teams in Step Three.’
“It’s massive for the whole town and the place that the club’s in.”
On what to expect from Stafford Rangers
McJannet confirmed that the squad have been preparing thoroughly for the challenge, with the coaching staff analysing Stafford’s shape, attacking players and approach.
From a defensive perspective, he expects the hosts’ forwards and midfielders to work tirelessly throughout the contest, and knows Town must be ready for the physical demands of the occasion.
“We’ve done our meetings and looked at them. We know their shape and they’ll be right at it.
“We know that the two strikers and midfielders won’t stop running and will be willing to go for 90, 100 minutes.
“From a defender’s perspective, I’ll be ready for that, and obviously all the other things like the pitch, the atmosphere and how up for it Stafford will be.”
On his favourite FA Cup memory
McJannet also recalled a memorable FA Cup experience from his childhood, when he watched Luton Town produce a famous result away at Norwich City while competing in the Conference.
The defender was around 12 or 13 at the time and remembered the occasion as one of his earliest standout memories of the competition.
“I was at, when Luton were in the Conference, Norwich away when they were in the Premier League and Luton won.
“That was pretty special. I didn’t know until the other day that Harry Kane played in that game, so that’s probably the first thing that comes to mind for the FA Cup.”
For McJannet, that memory is a reminder of what makes the competition so special, creating occasions and experiences that stay with players and supporters long after the final whistle.
“That’s what football and sport is all about. It’s the magic of the cup.”
You can watch Cameron’s full pre-match interview here:
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